#287 The Byrds, 'Mr. Tambourine Man' (1965)

Previously #233

Officially known the world’s first Folk Rock album (or at least, the first album to be described by this new phrase). The album took its name from the lead single, a song that Bob Dylan had written and recorded just one month before the release of this one. The harmonies on that single, and the album in general are stunning. The blending of Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark and David Crosby’s vocals is magical.

The album would contain 4 Bob Dylan covers in total. The rest were primarily penned by Gene Clark, save for a Pete Seeger track and a Jackie DeShannon song. The band was heavily influenced by The Beatles (I mean, who wasn’t), which you can hear in a lot of the music. The Pete Seeger song, ‘The Bells Of Rhymney’ actually reminded me a lot of The Beatles’ ‘If I Needed Someone.’ It wasn’t The Byrds who borrowed from The Beatles, though, but the other way around. George Harrison loved this riff so much that he incorporated it into the abovementioned song. If they’re alright by George, they’re alright by me! Crosby was fired not long after this and went on to found Crosby, Stills and Nash. This album is a great start to the career of one of the most important American bands of the mid to late ‘60s.

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